This Mother’s Day you can gift a special mother figure in your life a beautiful piece of jewellery, comfy clothing, or a sweet treat that also gives back to a local cause. It’s a win/win for mom! Here are a few options that support some wonderful Vancouver-based organizations:

Vancouver Mother’s Day Gifts That Give Back

For Covenant House

About the Collection: Beautifully hand-made, locally-crafted jewellery, from Melissa Caron. The Guardian Angel collection of pendants, was specifically designed in support of Covenant House, each with its own story. 

About the Cause: Partial proceeds from each piece sold will support Covenant House Vancouver, which has been providing love and hope to youth experiencing homelessness since 1997. They are the premiere service provider of residential and outreach services for homeless and at-risk youth ages 16 to 24 in Vancouver. 

For BC Women’s Health Foundation

About the Collection: Smash + Tess created the Tuesday Romper in Pop of Pink to celebrate all the #SmashTessFam community who mother. Fitted legs with a cozy cuff is the newest feature of this classic Romper that’s sleek and sporty.

About the Cause: 10% of the proceeds from all Pop of Pink Rompers sold to BC Women’s Health Foundation, to support their work ensuring women have equitable access to the highest quality healthcare, when, where, and how they need it.

For East Van Roasters

About the Collection: The East Van Roasters online shop has opened in time for Mother’s Day featuring chocolate, coffee, cake and flower orders are all available for delivery or pickup, or shipping throughout Canada. In addition to handcrafted bean-to-bar chocolate and fresh roasted coffee, the new online shop features some exclusive offerings just for Mother’s Day like a special 8 piece gift box.

About the Cause: East Van Roasters employs women living in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside who are looking to reenter the workforce, and who benefit from a flexible and supportive work environment where they learn to produce fine chocolate and coffee. Your Mother’s Day gift from East Van Roasters will help support the work it does to remove barriers for women in the community.  

For Cause We Care

About the Collection: The 2021 Spring Blue Skies collection from Blue Ruby Jewellery features necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Prices range from $65 to $135 and the collection is available at all Blue Ruby locations, Hill’s of Kerrisdale and Hill’s Dry Goods locations and online.

About the Cause: 100% of proceeds go to Cause We Care Foundation, funding programs and initiatives to help single mother-led families in need.

For Whole Way House

About the Collection: For Mother’s Day shop the I Get To charm collection, BOGO – buy one get one free! The PNW collection is inspired by the Pacific Northwest, the Donna charm collection has symbols of hope, a passion for music, the sweetness of a bumblebee, and a semicolon, meaning my journey doesn’t end here.

About the Cause: 100% of proceeds benefit Whole Way House Society. Each piece is carefully hand-stamped by someone who is transitioning out of homelessness, incarceration or a recovery program and is working hard to move forward in their lives. 

For more gift ideas, check out my shopping category with a few gift boxes (like these from Legends Haul) and more.

Stars from Vancouver’s film and television industry will share stories about their work, passions, dreams, challenges, special causes, and favourite things as part of YVR Screen Scene For India, a star-studded online event in support of COVID-19 relief efforts in the country.

YVR Screen Scene For India

When: Saturday, May 8, 2021 at 2:00pm
Where: Online
Tickets: Available now for $20. An event link will be emailed to ticket holders closer to the event date.

Hosted by YVR Screen Scene Podcast host Sabrina Rani Furminger, YVR Screen Scene For India brings together Vancouver stars for a joyous panel event akin to Inside the Actors Studio (but with a South Asian Canadian twist!). Featuring Agam Darshi (Funny Boy), Dhirendra (Lego Jurassic Park: The Legend of Isla Nublar), Praneet Akilla (Nancy Drew), Rekha Sharma (Battlestar Galactica), Sachin Sahel (The 100), and Sandy Sidhu (Nurses).

All funds raised from YVR Screen Scene For India ticket sales will be donated to Indian and international organizations providing relief to the people who need it most, including Goonj (an organization that works with marginalized communities in rural and urban areas), Doctors Without Borders’ Emergency Response in India (which is setting up two 1000-bed units in a large field hospital in Mumbai), and others to be confirmed. 

“I’ve been deeply worried about my family in India, and steeped in a feeling of powerlessness,” says Furminger, who is South Asian and Ukrainian Canadian. “But I’m not powerless, and we as a film and television community aren’t powerless. We’re going to do what we do – share stories and speak from our hearts and invite people around the world to bear witness – and every penny is going to go directly to help people in India.”

Follow #YVRScreenSceneForIndia on Twitter for more info.

This Mother’s Day you can give the gift of beautifully hand-made, locally-crafted jewellery, while also supporting a very important cause. Melissa Caron has just launched The Guardian Angel collection of pendants, specifically designed in support of Covenant House, each with its own story. 

Pendant Fundraiser in Support of Covenant House

“I am teaming up with the Covenant House in Vancouver BC, whose purpose is to serve all youth, age 16-24, with absolute respect and unconditional love, to help youth experiencing homelessness and to protect and safeguard all youth in need. They provide a continuum of care consisting of three main programs that youth can access, as well as educational programs, safe and affordable housing, warm meals, medical care, showers, laundry and unconditional love.”
– Melissa Caron

Partial proceeds from each Guardian Angel pendant sold will be donated to Covenant House. There are three unique and distinct styles to choose from, which range from the Sterling Silver Guardian Angel Wing $395 to the dazzling Kalila the Beloved in 14k gold with diamonds and sapphires at $7,500, and styles in between.

Kalila, The Mama Guardian Angel
A latticework of vines and leaves cascade ever so delicately around the glowing sapphire gemstone in Kalila’s womb, providing a nurturing and safe sanctuary enveloping the wearer in unconditional love, and extending outwards to those who gaze upon her shining light. A marquise sapphire sits in her ever-watching eye, the window to the soul, holding your precious spirit in her maternal gaze.  Kalila may be customized in your choice of gold colour and gemstones.

Layla, A petite yet voluptuous shaped angel representing the Mother Goddess rocking you in her upside down heart shaped bosom. Providing a sense of safety, support, and unconditional love guiding you towards your highest power. The gemstone of your choice ever-watching, with crystal clear intention. Layla may be customized in your choice of gold colour and gemstone.

Guardian Angel Wing in Gold or Silver
Wrap yourself in the tender wing of an angel, offering guidance and protection with her beacon of starlight. This winged beauty is offered in your choice of gold colour or sterling silver and gemstone.

Available only for a limited time! Make it your own, or for that special mom in your life. Whichever you choose, your purchase will make a difference in the life of a youth experiencing homelessness in Metro Vancouver.

Follow Melissa Caron Jewellery on Facebook and Instagram for more information.

The TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival celebrates its 35th edition this summer from Friday, June 25 to Sunday, July 4. After cancelling the 2020 festival due to COVID-19 uncertainty, the Coastal Jazz & Blues Society is pleased to present a modified 2021 Festival with a program of over 100 virtual events – all in accordance with the Provincial Health Office’s guidelines. Plus, there will be free performances will be announced in May!

TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival’s Virtual Program

The 2021 TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival includes performances by British Columbia’s plethora of talented artists; streams from New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Amsterdam, and Paris; free online workshops; club performances; and a continued partnership with North Shore Jazz. All streams will be available until midnight on July 6, 2021.

Streaming Series

International Streaming Series
The series kicks off June 25th with a performance from Chicago by percussionists Hamid Drake and Michael Zerang. The following nights, travel (virtually) to New York, with a tribute to Bud Powell (Bouncin’ with Bud) featuring Helen Sung, Steve Smith, and Lonnie Plaxico, as well as a solo performance by pianist Fred Hersch, respectively. On June 30th, John Beasley’s Grammy-winning MONK’estra explores the music of Thelonious Monk and original compositions. View the full International Streaming Series lineup here.

Innovation Series at Ironworks
On June 25th begin the series with a performance by a quartet led by violinist Josh Zubot. The Watermill Project, combining Korean traditional music and jazz into a harmonious whole, led by vocalist Sara Kim is streaming June 27th. July 3rd sees a rare appearance by Talking Pictures, led by guitarist Ron Samworth. he final performance from the Innovation Series at Ironworks features two duos: drummer Kenton Loewen and trumpeter JP Carter, plus Not for Proper, Loewen’s duo with pianist Lisa Cay Miller. View the full Innovation Series at Ironworks lineup here.

Pyatt Hall Series & Frankie’s Jazz Club
The Pyatt Hall Series, streaming nightly, opens June 25th will feature sax-master and local jazz impresario Cory Weeds and his Quartet in a tribute to Harold Land. three of Vancouver’s most sought-after players join together as Triology (with Jodi Proznick, Miles Black, and Bill Coon) on June 30th. For the final night of the series on July 4th, catch charming vocalist Andrea Superstein. View the full Pyatt Hall Series & Frankie’s Jazz Club lineup.

Performance Works Series
Opening June 25th with critical darlings and audience favourites Snotty Nose Rez Kids. June 28th will have Blue Moon Marquee’s unique combo of Americana, swing, and gut-bucket blues put a smile on your face. On July 1st, the Peggy Lee Band will explore the elegant compositions of one of Vancouver’s musical treasures, cellist Peggy Lee. July 4th closes the Performance Works Series with jazz-pop chanteuse Jill Barber exploring repertoire in French from her latest album. View the full Performance Works Series lineup here.

Ticketing information is as follows:

• Streaming packages ($50+ tax per series) with single stream tickets ($11+ tax per stream) on sale May 3, 2021 at 10:00am
• The streaming package for all of the ticketed programs at this year’s Festival is $175+ tax

Plans are also afoot for limited in-person attendance, should health orders allow for small gatherings. For more information and the latest updates, follow Coastal Jazz on Facebook.

The BC Restaurant and Foodservice Association (“BCRFA”), Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, Save-On-Foods stores, and Town Hall Brands are proud to collaborate to call on the public and industry to #StandUpforService. From March 1 to May 23, 2021 British Columbians are asked to visit the campaign website and share stories of colleagues, servers, cooks, friends, or businesses who are providing a welcoming and unique dining experience while following best practices to combat COVID-19.

Stand Up for Service and Celebrate BC’s Restaurant Industry

The 12-week program recognizes excellence in all the forms that it takes in these times. The efforts of the dedicated personnel that work each day to provide a top-notch dining experience deserve to be recognized, and it is easy to make a nomination online with just a few clicks.

Each week, an outstanding restaurant worker (must be of legal drinking age) will be selected to receive a $100 Save-On-Foods gift card and a gift from Sumac Ridge Estate Winery. At the end of the 12-week promotion, four individuals will be chosen to each receive a special Sumac Ridge Estate Winery gift and a $250 gift card to Save-
On-Foods. These superstar restaurant workers will also be highlighted on the BCRFA and BC Tastes Better Instagram pages.

“We are incredibly proud of the efforts that restaurant, foodservice and pub staff are making to ensure that restaurants are rising to the occasion in the face of the most challenging time in a century. It takes a lot of effort and diligence to be on the front line … and we want restaurant staff to know we are there to support them and encourage them.” – Ian Tostenson, president and CEO, BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association

Nominate an individual who makes a difference with your dining experience and support the people of BC restaurant industry today. Follow #StandUpForService on social media to view entries, recipients and updates.